We are using keyfob programmers from=20 Kanda. They seem to work well. Our customer has perhaps a dozen or so of=20 these out in the field and the only time we see them back here is=20 when they need to have the firmware image updated to the latest=20 version. Since this is a fairly mature project, that just doesn't=20 happen much these days. dwayne At 11:37 AM 11/25/2014, Neil wrote: >What is the latest preferred choice for a PIC programmer that can >program directly from pre-compiled hex files? Microchip is trying to >fade off the PICkit2 (which I love), and replace it with the PICkit3. >However, there is only a beta standalone app for that which is buggy and >apparently is not going to be supported anymore. I generally prefer to >use the manufacturer's tools, but willing to go third party here if I >can trust it will be properly supported over time (ie: being updated for >better apps). > >The intention is that I give pre-built hex files to others to flash >firmware and don't want to give out the source code, nor have them work >in that environment. One of the things I've been meaning to do (with >the PICkit2) is to build a small embedded system (most prob linux) with >a small keypad and LCD interface that would someone select from hundreds >(yes, hundreds) of files and it would invoke the PICkit2 to flash the >code onto a device. I can't find anything for the PICkit3 that would >let me do that. --=20 Dwayne Reid Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax www.trinity-electronics.com Custom Electronics Design and Manufacturing --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .